Readwise Books launches beta to challenge Amazon's Kindle

Readwise Books entered beta testing on October 28, marking the company's direct entry into the ebook sales market. The platform competes with Amazon's Kindle and Kobo while attempting to replace the social features of Goodreads. Access to the service is currently limited to invitees or existing Readwise subscribers.

The product combines a bookstore with a social network for tracking reading habits. Cofounders Tristan Homsi and Daniel Doyon describe the app as Strava for reading. It tracks the speed, duration, and volume of reading and displays this data to friends. The homepage features a feed of other users' activities, including comments and recommendations. This design aims to make the solitary act of reading feel communal and measurable.

The development of Readwise Books has been part of the company's strategy since its founding. Homsi stated that he and Doyon discussed the concept when they first met. They felt that existing platforms like Kindle could be improved but noted that consumers did not actively seek a better device. Instead, users frequently expressed dissatisfaction with Goodreads. The founders aimed to build a superior social layer first, with the goal of eventually shifting book purchases to their own platform.

To launch the service, the company negotiated agreements with all five major US publishers. These deals cover the distribution of a competitive library of titles. The process involved extensive security reviews and debates over digital rights management. Homsi and Doyon described the negotiations as exhausting. The agreements standardize pricing and presentation, placing Readwise on similar economic footing with larger competitors immediately upon launch.

The timing of the launch aligns with a growth trend in digital reading, particularly among younger demographics. Much of this consumption occurs on phones and tablets rather than dedicated e-readers. The market for e-ink hardware has also expanded. New devices such as the Xteink and the Boox Palma line offer more options for readers. Doyon said the company previously considered building its own e-reader hardware. Now, they focus on ensuring the app runs on an e-ink-friendly version of Android.

The app allows users to track books they want to read, are reading, and have finished. It syncs with Kindle accounts to import progress data. Users can rate books and read reviews from other members. The interface is designed to be visually distinct from the minimalist style of Kindle and Kobo applications. It offers extensive customization options for how text displays on the screen. The platform also includes a system for saving and categorizing highlights, which connects to the original Readwise product.

Doyon acknowledged that switching ebook platforms is difficult for existing users who own large libraries on Kindle. He does not expect immediate mass migration. The company hopes to persuade current users to switch in order to sync their notes and progress more seamlessly. The founders also believe that the rise of artificial intelligence may drive readers back toward deep reading. They expect that these readers will seek a more social and aesthetically pleasing environment for their work.